So You’ve Been Appointed to a Torres Strait School: A Thumbnail Sketch of the Socio-Historical Context of Torres Strait Education

Authors

  • Barry Osborne Dept. of Social and Cultural Studies in Education at James Cook University of North Queensland

Abstract

On the basis of my own experience as a teacher in Torres Strait from 1968-1972 and feedback from preservice teachers studying “Education in Torres Strait”, I have decided to provide teachers and principals new to the region some background information on the context in which they find themselves. My position is that education is constrained by its present socio-political context which has been shaped by its past.

References

Bani E. ( 1978). “ These are my Islands.” Australian Natural History, 19, ( 6), pp. 214– 216.

Beckett J.R. ( 1972). “ The Torres Strait Islanders.” In Walker D. (Ed.) Bridge and Barrier: The Natural and Cultural History of Torres Strait. Canberra: Australian National University, pp. 307– 326.

Beckett J. ( 1978). “ Mission, Church and Sect: Three Types of Religious Commitment in Torres Strait.” In Hughes T., and Tiffany S.W. (Eds.) Mission Church and Sect in Oceania. Ann Arbor, Michigan: University of Michigan Press.

Beckett J. ( 1987) Torres Strait Islanders; Customs and , Colonisation. Melbourne: Cambridge University Press.

Haddon A.C. (Ed.), ( 1971). Reports of the Cambridge Anthropological Expendition to Torres Strait. ( 5Vols). New York: Johnson Reprint.

Kehoe-Forutan S. (Ed.). A Bibliography of the Torres Strait Islands. Brisbane: Department of Geographical Sciences, University of Queensland.

Langbridge J.W. ( 1977). “ From Enculturation to Evangelisation: An Account of Missionary Education in the Islands of Torres Strait to 1915.” B.Ed. (Hons) Thesis James Cook University of North Queensland.

Mullins S. ( 1987). “ On the Frontiers of History: Torres Strait 1864–1884.” Paper presented at the 57th ANZAAS Congress, James Cook University: Townsville.

Orr K.R and Williamson A. ( 1973). Education in the Torres Strait. Canberra: Research School of Pacific Studies, A.N.U.

Osborne A.B. ( 1989) “ Initial ‘effects’ of ‘takeover’ of Education in Torres Strait.” Paper presented at ATEA conference, James Cook University of North Queensland: Townsville.

Osborne E. ( 1990) “ The forgotten evacuation: The effect of the Pacific War on two groups of women whose roots ran deep in the soil of Torres Strait.” Thesis submitted for degree of B.A. (Hons) (Dept of History), James Cook University of North Queensland.

Passi D. ( 1987) “ From Pagan to Christian Priesthood.” In Trompt G.W. The Gospel is not Western: Black Theologies from the South West Pacific. New York: Mary Knoll, pp. 45– 48.

Sharp N. ( 1980). “ Torres Strait Islands: A Great Cultural Refusal: The meaning of the Maritime Strike of 1936.” Bundoora: Department of Sociology, La Trobe University.

Singe J. ( 1979). The Torres Strait; People and history. St. Lucia: University of Queensland Press.

Topping R. ( 1987). “ View Point: A Conflict of Cultures.” Education Statewide, 27, p. 2.

Williamson A. ( 1987). “ White and Islander Teachers in the Outer Islands’ Schools of Torres Strait, 1892-1941.” Papex presented at the 57th ANZAAS Congress, James Cook University of North Queensland: Townsville.

Downloads

Published

1991-11-01

How to Cite

Osborne, B. (1991). So You’ve Been Appointed to a Torres Strait School: A Thumbnail Sketch of the Socio-Historical Context of Torres Strait Education. The Aboriginal Child at School, 19(5), 19–28. Retrieved from https://ajie.atsis.uq.edu.au/acs/article/view/834

Issue

Section

Articles